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Scattered storms affected Central Alabama yesterday and it appears the good ole summer weather pattern is here to stay with scattered showers a possibility just about every day. With a very moist air mass with precipitable water values running well over 1.5 inches, some of the storms could produce some locally heavy rains. Unfortunately, the distribution of showers means that not everyone will get wet. And temperatures are not changing much with highs in the lower 90s and lows around the 70-degree mark.
In the tropics, Bertha has everyone’s attention as she moves steadily westward across the South Atlantic. The current forecast track will continue Bertha on a westward course. And the possibility that she will miss the upper weakness and continue westward for five days seems fairly good. The storm will totter around 60 knots forecast to stay just below hurricane force, but as she moves away from cooler sea surface temperatures, it is possible that she could become a hurricane. While certainly not a threat to the eastern US yet, the continued westerly motion increases the possibility that she might. Even a recurving before reaching the US coastline could mean some waves and beach erosion along the immediate coast.
The front just to our north will wash out over the next couple of days but will provide a focus for storms today and Sunday. If any day will see less shower occurrences, it might be Monday. But a new trough through the latter part of the week promises to maintain that chance of showers everyday.
A big ridge in the upper atmosphere appears on Friday and Saturday so we could see some temperatures into the mid 90s if that verifies.
Rainfall amounts over the next 5 days will be scattered, but heavy rainfall may occur in some storms. Overall, if you get rain over the next 5 days, look for amounts to vary widely but run one half to one inch with some showers. I just missed a shower at my place yesterday and got only 2 hundredths of an inch – barely enough to settle the dust. Such is the nature of showers.
Voodoo country shows little change in the pattern with another front coming through the Ohio River Valley but washing out before getting into Alabama. With the ridge aloft, look for a continuation of those scattered storms nearly everyday.
Cloudy and breezy on Mt. Cheaha this morning. Clouds might hold the afternoon temperatures down a bit where the clouds maintain a presence. The deer up here say hello and really appreciate the corn we brought. I should have the next Weather Xtreme Video posted Sunday morning by 8:30 or so. I hope you have a great weekend. God bless.
-Brian-
PS If you are into storytelling, I’ll be appearing with Dolores Hydock and Sara Dubose on July 14th at the Helena City Hall in a mini-storytelling event called Betwixt and Between. So if you like storytelling as I do, come on out and join us. The program begins at 6:30 pm.
